WXPN/World Cafe Live Project Fact Sheet

Details

Created on Friday, 01 October 2004 15:48

Location: Hajoca Building -- 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Size: 40,000 square feet
Project Cost: $15 Million
Developer: Dranoff Properties
Architects: Bower Lewis Thrower Architects, DAS Architects and Meyer Associates
Contractor: INTECH Construction

Building Highlights

• An adaptive re-use of the historically-certified 40,000 square-foot former Hajoca building, originally constructed in 1921 for the manufacture and display of plumbing fixtures.
• Upon completion, this total “gut rehab” renovation will include approximately 130,000 linear feet of metal studs, 280,000 square feet of drywall, 100,000 square feet of insulation, 900 cubic yards of concrete and 50 tons of steel.
• Windows, doors, glass, masonry and ornamental features have been carefully restored and repaired bringing this historic beauty back to its original luster.
• Because of the project’s complexities - retrofitting a former manufacturing facility into two, separate acoustically perfect sound halls – there are three architects, each with its own specialty. Bower Lewis Thrower, a center city firm, was hired by developer Carl Dranoff to design the overall building renovation. Ardmore-based Meyer Associates was brought in by WXPN to design offices and studios. DAS of center city was selected by Real to design the performance and dining areas.
• High bay manufacturing facility seemed almost to imagine the future use for balcony level theater seating which gives 400 people the feel of an intimate theater.
• Rugged, lofty spaces created by clear span roof trusses make a perfect setting for XPN’s futuristic office spaces and the tilting ceilings of World Cafe.
• Ceiling height allowed cooling tower and all mechanical equipment to be mounted inside so it wouldn’t interfere with historically-certified exterior.
• Location of a 350-seat live music performance hall and a radio studio on the same level requiring isolated room-in-room construction to limit sound transfer between rooms, including areas of sound walls up to 24” thick.
• Large windows at World Cafe radio performance studio enabling public to view recording sessions from lower level lobby.
• Large public lobby spaces for art exhibits and other special events, including new monumental stair tower.
• Dramatic exterior signage for both WXPN and World Cafe Live visible to more than 65,000 drivers daily on the Schuylkill Expressway, more than 17,745 drivers daily on the Walnut Street Bridge and several thousand pedestrians and bikers crossing the Walnut Street Bridge daily.
• Colorful awnings depicting WXPN-type performers over Walnut Street windows.
• High visibility main entrances on both the Walnut and the 31st Street levels.

WXPN Highlights

• A 1,000 square-foot, double height World Cafe radio performance studio with custom acoustic treatments plus adequate space for large bands and audience seating
• Elevator to ensure ready accessibility for physically challenged members of WXPN’s community and easy load-in and load-out for musical performers.
• Green Rooms for visiting artists, who often travel through the night, to allow them to shower, change and warm up scratchy vocal chords and cold instruments.
• A children’s programming studio to support Kids Corner and other children’s programming initiatives that the station may develop.
• A Technology Distribution Center that provides the central digital backbone and equipment control point necessary for a modern radio and audio production facility.
• Studios that can be made accessible to the public, consistent with the warm, intimate nature of WXPN’s programming and relationship with members.
• Secure, climate-controlled archives to preserve the unique, historical musical performances captured by WXPN for future audiences.
• Adequate office space to house the entire WXPN staff and a minimum of two dozen student interns and workers.
• Space dedicated to recognizing contributors to the Campaign for WXPN including the exterior Donor Alley and interior walls featuring actual CDs as nameplates for major donors.
• Large, expandable conference rooms that will be converted into phone rooms during the station’s annual fund drives.
• Listening room for on-air staff to preview the hundreds of CDs received each week.
• Dramatic murals designed by the nationally acclaimed City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, which depict the station’s evolution through colorful murals and mosaics.

World Cafe Live Highlights

• Downstairs at World Cafe Live features a three-tiered music hall designed for superior acoustic performance with clear sight lines, sound-locks and capacity for seating 350 people in its normal bistro configuration, 500 people with auditorium-style seating and 700 people standing room only.
• Upstairs at World Cafe Live offers an intimate cafe on the Walnut Street level, seating approximately 100 people, featuring live radio broadcasts and live music, open from early in the morning until late at night seven days a week.
• Upstairs and Downstairs at World Cafe Live both include full food and beverage service. The smoke-free environment has interiors decorated with materials, fabrics, millwork, colors and furniture designed to reflect the diverse, handcrafted, eclectic spirit of WXPN and World Cafe radio.
• State-of-the-art sound, light and video systems designed by Clair Brothers, largest touring sound company in the world, system designers for the David Letterman Show among others.
• The mezzanine Downstairs at World Cafe Live offers comfortable seating for a bird’s-eye view of performances, with its own dining area, bar, rest rooms and service kitchen, perfect for private parties, corporate entertaining and group outings.
• Retail areas for the sale of tickets, artist CDs and tee shirts, and WXPN and World Cafe Live logo merchandise.
• Innovative programming to include an education series, studio jams, subscription series, festivals and more, with live music daily.
• A variety of options available for private parties, corporate events and other special events, including on-site catering, use of state-of-the-art sound-light-video systems and performance booking services.
• Dressing/“Green” Rooms for performers, coatroom and ample restrooms.
• Convenient and secure parking facilities within a block.

Contact
Kim Winnick
88.5 WXPN
(215) 573-3339

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